Cancer Rates Higher Near Certain Plants and Factories, New Study Says

Last year we told you about the 10 healthiest cities for women -- and warned you about the 10 unhealthiest, too. But here's something else for house hunters to consider: A brand-new study from Emory University reports that the incidence of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a blood cancer, is significantly higher in communities located near refineries and manufacturing plants that release benzene into the surrounding air or water.

However, the study, published this morning in the journal Cancer, does not prove that benzene exposure causes cancer, the researchers say. But when they looked at what’s been happening in the state of Georgia over the last few decades, they noticed some disturbing trends: First, they found an increase in overall lymphoma cases between 1999 and 2008 — especially in urban areas — 40 percent of which occurred in people 20 to 59 years old. Additionally, they found that for every mile the average distance to benzene release sites increased, there was a .31 percent decrease in the risk of the disease.

Previous studies have linked benzene to lymphoma risk in factory workers who had direct exposure to the chemical — and in high concentrations, benzene can cause other health issues like anemia, headaches and decreased immunity. But this is the first time a connection has been made to people in residential areas, outside of the industrial settings.

Benzene is typically released by companies that deal with coal and petroleum, or that make plastics, detergents and pesticides; if you’re curious about facilities near your home (or potential home), the EPA’s Toxic Release Inventory website has records of which factories have released released what in the past. Other sources of benzene? Car exhaust and cigarette smoke, which may help explain why urban areas also had higher lymphoma risks in the study, the authors add.

While there’s not enough evidence to make any definite conclusions just yet — study results need to be replicated in other states — the authors do want people to be aware of their findings. “We hope that our research will inform readers of the potential risks of living near facilities that release carcinogens into the air, groundwater, or soil,” says lead author Catherine Bulka, MPH. Bulka also has advice for people who currently live near pollution-releasing facilities: “Stay informed by keeping abreast of the current research on benzene and checking the TRI website.”

What do you think: Would you let exposure to chemicals like benzene factor into where you live? Tweet us at @amandaemac and @SELFmagazine.